National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist.

Organizational Context

The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads the organization's efforts in food security, agriculture, and rural development across the region. It identifies and implements priority activities, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach and fostering strategic responses in collaboration with headquarters. RAF also manages regional programmes and projects, monitors implementation, and builds relationships with regional institutions. Currently, RAF is implementing the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, promoting the green development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) to transform agrifood systems.

Job Purpose

The National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist will provide crucial technical support for the implementation of the OCOP initiative, focusing on the green and sustainable development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). The role involves enhancing agribusiness development, sustainable agricultural value chains, and agricultural financing to boost the competitiveness and resilience of SAPs in participating countries. The specialist will also contribute to knowledge management by developing training materials and guidance notes, and by producing inputs for OCOP country briefs and regional knowledge products, ultimately supporting the creation of inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-oriented agrifood systems.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional OCOP Focal Point, the Specialist will design and deliver online training sessions on sustainable value chain development for SAPs, covering market access, business models, financial inclusion for women and youth, and SME finance readiness. This includes preparing training materials, conducting assessments, and producing training packages. The role involves providing technical support to OCOP countries by analyzing SAP value chains, identifying financing bottlenecks for smallholder farmers and SMEs, and contributing to country briefs and reports. The Specialist will also lead resource mobilization efforts by reviewing project ideas and concept notes, advising on proposal development, and recommending suitable financing instruments. Additionally, the position requires preparing technical guidance notes on financing mechanisms and maintaining close coordination with OCOP teams, providing quarterly progress updates and a final technical report.

Work Experience

Requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting programme operations, project implementation, or coordination of projects within the field of international development. Experience working in multiple locations or areas, and with international organizations, is beneficial. Specific experience in agribusiness development, agricultural value chain analysis, agricultural financing, investment facilitation, and resource mobilization is highly valued.

Skills

Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Essential technical skills encompass extensive experience in agribusiness development, agricultural value chain analysis, agricultural financing, investment facilitation, and resource mobilization. Proficiency in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, green value chain development, and the ability to design and deliver technical training and capacity-building programs are crucial. Strong analytical, report writing, and knowledge product development skills are also required.

Explore related opportunities